Circuit programming system-belt-type switch with deflectable spring contact means

ABSTRACT

A circuit programming system and actuator therefor including a connector block having at least one passageway extending through said block; a longitudinally extending movable actuator mounted for axial movement in the passageway and having a recess therein extending in the direction of travel of the actuator; a plurality of contacts mounted in the actuator each having a portion extending into the recess; the portions of the actuator contacts which extend into the recess lying entirely below the lips of the recess; contacts mounted in the block and projecting into the passageway and into the recess for engagement with the portions of the actuator contacts; and the contacts including spring deflecting means for permitting the actuator contacts and the block contacts to pass each other; whereby when the actuator is moved in the passageway, the actuator contacts engage the block contacts thereby to operate a circuit in a programmed period as determined by the length and spacing of the contacts and the rate of travel of the actuator.

United States Patent Inventor Fin?! 520W?! S P3": JK-z 3906 Bruce Lane, Annandale, Va. 22003 [21] AppLNo. 837,466 [22] Filed June 30, 1969 [45] Patented Feb. 16,1971

[54] CIRCUIT PROGRAMMING SYSTEM-BELT-TYPE SWITCH WITH DEFLECTABLE SPRING CONTACT MEANS 36 Claims, 23 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 200/46, 200/16 [51] 1nt.Cl .H )1hl 5/0 0, H0 1 h 43/08 {50] Field ofSearch 200/16, 163,46

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,166,645 l/l965 Sh1esinger.... 200/l6l(X) 3,193,630 7/1965 Shlesinger.... 200/163(X) 3,225,149 12/1965 Shlesinger 200/l63(X) 22 IO 8 i0 Primary Examiner- Robert K. Schaefer Assistan! Examiner-William J. Smith Attorney-Shlesinger, Arkwright and Garvey ABSTRACT: A circuit programming system and actuator therefor including a connector block having at least one passageway extending through said block; a longitudinally extending movable actuator mounted for axial movement in the passageway and having a recess therein extending in the direction of travel of the actuator; a plurality of contacts mounted in the actuator each having a portion extending into the recess; the portions of the actuator contacts which extend into the recess lying entirely below the lips of the recess; contacts mounted in the block and projecting into the passageway and into the recess for engagement with the portions of the actuator contacts; and the contacts including spring deflecting means for permitting the actuator contacts and the block contacts to pass each other; whereby when the actuator is moved in the passageway, the actuator contacts engage the block contacts thereby to operate a circuit in a programmed period as determined by the length and spacing of the contacts and the rate oftravel ofthe actuator.

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CIRCUIT PROGRAMMING SYSTEM-BELT-TYPE SWITCH WITI-I DEFLECTABLE SPRING CONTACT MEANS HISTORICAL BACKGROUND This invention pertains to multiple contact switches for programming and the like and in general falls into the same category as switches set out in my Pat. Nos. 3,193,630, issued July 6, 1965; 3,166,645, issued Jan. 19, 1965; and 3,225,149,

ments and components.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a multiple contact switch that is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and one which will provide both fast action and good contact.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a multiple contact switch that may be used in programming systems, telephony, telemetering, and the like.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a multiple contact switch which will provide a large number of different connections.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a multiple contact switch which will have a minimum number of parts and a maximum of efficiency of operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a contact switch which is operable by any type of motor mechanism.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a programming system which can be selectably changed without changing parts.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a programming system which can be used in simple contact switching arrangements or in complex switching arrangements, such as used in conjunction with pressure switches, micro switches, as well as direct electrical connecting type switches.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a programming system which is capable of being repetitive or discontinuous as desired.

A further object of this invention is to provide a programming system which can be manufactured easily from plastic materials with a minimum of metallic parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a programming system which is compact yet simple to maintain.

A further object of this invention is to provide a switching system which permits interchangeability of the programmed members in order to afford selective use of the system.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an actuator for use in a programming switch having a passageway therein which may be of any length and which may be flexible or rigid depending upon requirements and whichmay be readily interchangeable with similar actuators having different programmed contacts mounted therein.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example various embodiments of this invention:

FIG. I is a cross-sectional view of -this invention showing the contact block with the contacts mounted therein in engagement with contacts mounted in theactuator belt;

FIG. la is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines la-la of FIG. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the actuator used in this invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view with portions shown in cross section so as to expose the actuator contact member;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the programming assembly showing one-half of the winding and reeling mechanism;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views illustrating additional modifications of this invention;

FIGS. 8 thru 12 are cross-sectional views of modifications of the actuators as used in this invention;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are further modifications of actuators as used in this invention;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views of yet additional modifications of actuators used in this invention;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary top plan view of still another embodiment of an actuator as used in this invention;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are cross-sectional views of the programming system illustrating still further embodiments of this invention;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view enlarged showing another embodiment of the actuator used in this invention;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one end of the assembly including a winding and reeling mechanism for the cable or belt illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another embodiment ofthe actuator of this invention.

FIGURES I THRU 4 The block B as generally shown in FIGS. I thru 4 is comprised of nonconductive material and includes top and bottom walls 2 and 4, and sidewalls 6. The walls may be individually manufactured or the entire block may be formed in one unit or several units as manufacturing techniques require.

A series of openings 8 are provided in the walls of the block B. Friction means, such as O-rings or gasket 10, may be provided in the openings 8. Mounted for movement within a passageway 12 of the block B is an actuator 14. The actuator 14 is provided with slots 16, which run the length ofthe actuator 14. A series of contact members 18 are mounted in the actuator 14. The contact members 18, as shown in FIGS. 1 thru 4, are generally U-shaped and may be a staple-shaped insert which can be frictionally fitted into grooves 20 in the face of the actuator 14 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. Openings 22, at the ends of the slot 20, are provided for receiving the legs of the staplelike contact members 18. The legs of the contact members I8 extend down through the slots 16 and may extend from one side of the slot 16 to the otherside of the slot 16 and into the far wall as best illustrated in FIG. 3. Friction grommets or gaskets 24 are provided for maintaining the contact members 18 in their respective slots 20.

Since the actuator 14 is of nonconductive material, alternative methods maybe used for the contact members 18, such as for example the use of printed circuit techniques and small pins connecting the printed circuits. Various types of holding means, other than grommets 24, may be provided, such as wedge shaping to the slots 20. Various means for interconnecting certain of the contact members can be provided, utilizing techniques well known in the printed circuit art.

Where applicable, conductors 26 are inserted into the openings 8. The conductors 26 include contact members or feelers 28. The feelers 28 are flexible as best illustrated in FIG. la so as to flex when engaging the contact members 18 when the actuator 14 is moved in the passageway 12. The contact feelers 28, by means of the conductors 26 are connected to various circuitry (not shown).

The actuator 14, which is of nonconductive material, may be relatively stiff or flexible depending upon the desired requirements of the job. In FIG. 4, the actuator I4 is a flexible belt or cable which may be endless or wound on a reel or pulley 30 which may be driven by a motor 32 for moving the actuator 14 through the passageway 12 in the block B.

It will be noted that the openings 8 are provided in various areas about the block B so that different types of belts orcable actuators 14, having slots 16 in various locations, may be utilized, such as hereinafter described.

In FIG. 4, only one side of the system is shown. It is obvious that a similar reel or pulley 30 and motor 32 may be provided at the other end ofthe passageway 12 for feeding or receiving the actuator 14.

The slots 16 are of sufficient depth to allow the feeler contact members 28 to slide by the actuator contact members 18. The contact feelers 28 or the contact members 18 are of flexible springlike material or if desirable both the feelers 28 and the contact members 18 may be flexible so as to permit the feelers 28 to ride over the contact members 18. The legs of the contact members 18 should be set in from the edge of the slots 16, a distance sufficient to permit the feelers 28 to pass without binding or wedging the actuator. It will be obvious that the contact feelers 28 will snap rapidly by thecontact members 18 to produce a snap action switch, thereby eliminating or reducing arcing. It will be further obvious that the lengthof the feelers can be varied to some extent so that a longer or shorter wiping'action will occur if the actuator 14 is moved at a constant speed inthe passageway 12. It will be also obvious that the speed of the the actuator may be varied depending upon the windup speed of the motor 32 driving the reel or pulley 30. Various cable or belt arrangements can be utilized as will be obvious from a study of Pat. No. 3,193,630, granted July 6, I965.

FIGURES TI-IRU 1.9

I FIG. 5 shows a slightly different modification in which the actuator 34 is T-shaped. It will be noted that the contact members 18 have free ends.

FIG. 6 shows a slightly different actuator 38 which is U- shaped. It will be noted that the'feeler contacts 28 engage the ends 36 as well as the center of the contact members 18.

FIG. 7shows a slightly different modification ofthe block B and actuator 14 assembly in which the actuator is T-shaped but the contact member 18, secured to the base ofthe T rather tact member 58 passes through the slots 62 and 64 whereas the contact members 60 passes only through the the slot 64. Openings 66 in the walls of the actuator 56 are provided for receipt of the legs of the contact members 58 and 60.

FIG. 11 shows an actuator 68 having a slightly different modification for receiving U-shaped contact members 70 and 72. Note in this instance that slots 74 have two contact legs extending therein, whereas slots 76 have only one contact leg inserted therein.

FIG. 12 shows still another embodiment with an actuator 78 of generally circular cross-sectional design having slots 80 radially disposed about the longitudinal axis of the actuator. Note that recesses 82 are provided for receiving the V-shaped contact members 84. The recesses 82 may be so designed that the V-shaped contact members snap thereinto in order to avoid dislocation The actuator 78 would require the use of a circular passageway in the block B (not shown).

FIGS. 13 thru 17 show various ladderlike actuators.

FIG. 13 shows contact members 86 supported in slots'88 of parallel bars 90. It will be obvious that the passageway of the block B would be so configured to receive the ladderlike configuration of the actuator generally shown at 92. The rungs of the contacts 86 would strike the feeler members supported in the block B in the manner previouslydescribed.

FIG. 14 shows a slightly different embodiment in which the actuator generally shown at 94 is provided with contact members 96 set in slots 98. The actuator 94 is generally C-shaped with the center webbing of the actuator 100 being slightly flexible to allow for insertion of the contacts 96 in the slots 98.

In FIG. 15, the actuator 102 is provided with a central web section 104. which may be rigid. Slots 106 and 108 are provided to receive a U-shaped contact clip 110. The clip has.

spring legs so as to lock within the slots I06 and 108.

FIG. 16 shows an actuator 112 with a U-shaped contact clip having the head of the clip 110' snapped into a recess 114 in the bar 116. The legs of the clip 110 are inserted into openings 118 in the parallel bar 120.

It will be obvious that the configuration shown in FIG. 16 may be operated on by the feeler contacts 28 from both top and bottom as it moves through the passageway 12.

FIG. 17 shows an actuator generally indicated at 122 having parallel extending bars 124, 126 and 128. The contact members 130, 132, and 134, are snapped into recessed areas, such as 136 and 138. I 1

FIG. 18 shows the block B having various openings 8 for receipt of conductors 26, having feeler contacts 28.

Mounted in the passageway 140 is a cage or ladderlike actuator 142. Bars 144 are provided with slots 146 for receiving .contact members 148 of V-shaped configuration.

'19 resemble a cage in that the center of the actuators is actually open area.

FIGURES 20 AND 21 FIG. 20 discloses an actuator having a generally circular configuration. The actuator includes both longitudinal slots 162 and annular slots 164. These slots can be cut into a single belt or cable so that the center support 166 is an integral portion of the entire actuator.

Openings 168 in the actuator 160 are-provided for insertion ofU-shaped contact members 170.

In FIG. 21, the actuator 160 passes through'a passageway 172 in the block B. The belt or cable actuator 160 is wound on a drum 174 at one end and extends through the passageway 172 to another drum (not shown). The drum 174 may be motor driven by a motor 176. The block B may include a ring gear 178, supported by an idler 182 and drive gear 184. supported on a base 186. The drive gear 184 is driven by a motor 188, which rotates the block B so as to permit the feelers 28 to pass through the annular slots 164 for the purpose of varying the programming in the block 3. It is obvious that the feelers 28 will be spaced a distance sufficient to cooperate with the annular slots 164 so that when the actuator 160 is moved into proper position in the passageway of the block B, the block may then be rotated without any interference to reposition the feelers 28 into engagement with a different longitudinal slot j cable itself may be rotated by any suitable means. such as manually orby motor or the like.

FIGURE 22 In FIG. 22, the actuatorl90'is a helical configuration having contact members 192, extending between the helices.

It will be obvious that in using the actuator as illustrated in FIG. 22, theblock B may be provided with threading to per-' It will be obvious, that instead ofrotating the block B. the

c. said portion of said contact members being spaced in said slot below the outer edge of said slot and above the bottom of said slot.

2. A circuit actuator as in claim 1 and wherein:

a. said slot extends parallel and between a pair of bars, and

b. said portions of said contact members extend transversely of said bars.

3. A circuit actuator as in claim 2 and including:

a. a plurality of said slots extending between a plurality of pairs of said bars.

4. A circuit actuator as in claim 3 and including:

a. a plurality of pairs of said bars each pair defining a separate slot,

b. and each of said separate slots including a series of said contacts, and

c. said plurality of pairs of bars forming a cage.

5. A circuit actuator as in claim 1 and wherein:

a. said actuator is a flexible belt.

6. A circuit actuator as in claim 1 and wherein:

a. said slot is a helix.

7. A circuit actuator as in claim 1 and including:

a. a plurality of said longitudinally extending slots each including a series of said contacts.

8. A circuit actuator as in claim 7 and including:

a. a series of second slots, transverse to said series of longitudinally extending slots.

9. A circuit programming system comprising:

a. a connector block; I

b. at least one passageway extending thru said block;

c. longitudinally extending movable actuator means mounted for axial movement in said passageway and having a recess therein extending in the direction oftravel of said actuator means;

d. a plurality of contact means mounted in said actuator means and each having a portion extending into said recess;

c. said portions of said actuator means contact means extending into said recess lying entirely below the lips of said recess;

f. contact means mounted in said block and projecting into said passageway and into said recess for engagement with said portions ofsaid actuator means contactmeans; and

g. said contact means including spring deflecting means for permitting said actuator means contact means and said block contact means to pass each other; whereby when said actuator means is moved in said passageway, said actuator means contact means engages said block contact means thereby to operate a circuit in a programmed period as determined by the length and spacing of said contact means and the rate of travel of said actuator means.

10. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein:

a. the maximum effective bearing width and height of said passageway is substantially the same as the maximum effective bearing width and height of said actuator means.

ll. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein:

a. said actuator means in a belt.

12. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein:

a. said actuator means recess is a helix.

13. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein:

a. said actuator means contact means includes a plurality of concentrically spaced contact members.

14. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein:

a. said actuator means contact means portion extends entirely through said recess.

15. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein:

a. said actuator means contact means portion extends only a portion of the way through said recess.

16. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein:

a. said actuator means contact means includes a printed circuit.

17. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and including:

a. means in said system for adjusting the distance of insertion of said contact means to permit varying of the programmed system.

18. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein:

a. said actuator means includes a ladderlike structure including spaced rungs.

19. A circuit programming system as in claim 18 and wherein:

a. said ladderlike structure includes at least three parallel spaced bars, and

b. said rungs are transverse to said bars.

20. A circuit programming system as in claim 10 and including:

a. a plurality of recesses in said actuator means spaced substantially parallel to each other;

b. at least one of said actuator means contact means in each slot;

c. said block contact means including a plurality of contact members, extending into said passageway, and

d. said recesses each having at least one of said block contact members extending thereinto for engagement with its respective actuator means contact means.

21. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein:

a. said block contact means are positioned circumferentially about said passageway.

22. A circuit programming wherein:

a. at least some of said actuator means contact means are electrically interconnected.

23. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein:

a. at least two of said recesses are in opposed relationship.

24. A circuit programming system as in claim ll and wherein:

a. said recesses are radially spaced about the axis oftravel of said actuator means.

25. A circuit programming system as in claim ll and wherein:

a. said actuator means contact member is of U-shaped configuration. I

26. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein:

a. said actuator means is rotatable.

27. A circuit programming system as in claim 26 and including:

a. means in said system for maintaining alignment of said actuator means in said passageway.

28. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein:

a. said block is rotatable.

29. A circuit programming system as in claim 28 and including:

a. means in said system for maintaining alignment of said actuator means in said passageway.

30. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein:

a. said actuator means includes a plurality of annular grooves intersecting said plurality of recesses, and

b. said grooves having substantially the same spacing on the longitudinal axis of said actuator means as the spacing between said block contact means in respect to the direction of travel of said actuator means so as to permit rotation of said actuator means within said passageway without interference with said block contact means.

31. A circuit programming system as in claim ll and wherein:

system as in claim ll and a. said block contact means includes pins, some of which are angularly disposed with respect to others.

32. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein:

a. said block includes entry ports for said block contact means, and 3 g b. some of said entry ports being angularly disposed with respect to certain others. 33. A circuit programming system as in claim 32 and wherein:

a. said actuator means contactmeans include some angularly disposed with respect to others. 34. A circuit programming system as in claim 19 and wherein:

a. at least some of some rungs extend only between two udjacent bars. 

1. A circuit actuator for use in a programming system passageway including: a. a longitudinally extending member having a longitudinally extending slot in the outer peripheral wall thereof; b. said member including a series of contact members mounted in said actuator and each having a portion extending transversely of and into said slot, and c. said portion of said contact members being spaced in said slot below the outer edge of said slot and above the bottom of said slot.
 2. A circuit actuator as in claim 1 and wherein: a. said slot extends parallel and between a pair of bars, and b. said portions of said contact members extend transversely of said bars.
 3. A circuit actuator as in claim 2 and including: a. a plurality of said slots extending between a plurality of pairs of said bars.
 4. A circuit actuator as in claim 3 and including: a. a plurality of pairs of said bars each pair defining a separate slot, b. and each of said separate slots including a series of said contacts, and c. said plurality of pairs of bars forming a cage.
 5. A circuit actuator as in claim 1 and wherein: a. said actuator is a flexible belt.
 6. A circuit actuator as in claim 1 and wherein: a. said slot is a helix.
 7. A circuit actuator as in claim 1 and including: a. a plurality of said longitudinally extending slots each including a series of said contacts.
 8. A circuit actuator as in claim 7 and including: a. a series of second slots, transverse to said series of longitudinally extending slots.
 9. A circuit programming system comprising: a. a connector block; b. at least one passageway extending thru said block; c. longitudinally extending movable actuator means mounted for axial movement in said passageway and having a recess therein extending in the direction of travel of said actuator means; d. a plurality of contact means mounted in said actuator means and each having a portion extending into said recess; e. said portions of said actuator means contact means extending into said recess lying entirely below the lips of said recess; f. contact means mounted in said block and projecting into said passageway and into said recess for engagement with said portions of said actuator means contact means; and g. said contact means including spring deflecting means for permitting said actuator means contact means and said block contact means to pass each other; whereby when said actuator means is moved in said passageway, said actuator means contact means engages said block contact means thereby to operate a circuit in a programmed period as determined by the length and spacing of said contact means and the rate of travel of said actuator means.
 10. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein: a. the maximum effective bearing width and height of said passageway is substantially the same as the maximum effective bearing width and height of said actuator means.
 11. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein: a. said actuator means in a belt.
 12. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein: a. said actuAtor means recess is a helix.
 13. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein: a. said actuator means contact means includes a plurality of concentrically spaced contact members.
 14. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein: a. said actuator means contact means portion extends entirely through said recess.
 15. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein: a. said actuator means contact means portion extends only a portion of the way through said recess.
 16. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein: a. said actuator means contact means includes a printed circuit.
 17. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and including: a. means in said system for adjusting the distance of insertion of said contact means to permit varying of the programmed system.
 18. A circuit programming system as in claim 9 and wherein: a. said actuator means includes a ladderlike structure including spaced rungs.
 19. A circuit programming system as in claim 18 and wherein: a. said ladderlike structure includes at least three parallel spaced bars, and b. said rungs are transverse to said bars.
 20. A circuit programming system as in claim 10 and including: a. a plurality of recesses in said actuator means spaced substantially parallel to each other; b. at least one of said actuator means contact means in each slot; c. said block contact means including a plurality of contact members, extending into said passageway, and d. said recesses each having at least one of said block contact members extending thereinto for engagement with its respective actuator means contact means.
 21. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. said block contact means are positioned circumferentially about said passageway.
 22. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. at least some of said actuator means contact means are electrically interconnected.
 23. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. at least two of said recesses are in opposed relationship.
 24. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. said recesses are radially spaced about the axis of travel of said actuator means.
 25. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. said actuator means contact member is of U-shaped configuration.
 26. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. said actuator means is rotatable.
 27. A circuit programming system as in claim 26 and including: a. means in said system for maintaining alignment of said actuator means in said passageway.
 28. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. said block is rotatable.
 29. A circuit programming system as in claim 28 and including: a. means in said system for maintaining alignment of said actuator means in said passageway.
 30. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. said actuator means includes a plurality of annular grooves intersecting said plurality of recesses, and b. said grooves having substantially the same spacing on the longitudinal axis of said actuator means as the spacing between said block contact means in respect to the direction of travel of said actuator means so as to permit rotation of said actuator means within said passageway without interference with said block contact means.
 31. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. said block contact means includes pins, some of which are angularly disposed with respect to others.
 32. A circuit programming system as in claim 11 and wherein: a. said block includes entry ports for said block contact means, and b. some of said entry ports being angularly disposed with respect to certain others.
 33. A circuit programming system as in claim 32 and wherein: a. said actuator means contact means include some angularly disposed with respect to others.
 34. A circuit programming system as in claim 19 and wherein: a. at least some of some rungs extend only between two adjacent bars.
 35. A circuit programming system as in claim 19 and wherein: a. at least some of said rungs interconnect at least three of said bars.
 36. A circuit programming system as in claim 19 and wherein: a. at least some of said rungs are offset with respect to other rungs. 